Mother’s Bistro & Bar: Restaurant of the Year

Serving up slow-cooked food featuring authentic cooking from mothers around the world -- all made from scratch with a special dish from a different mother each month! Mother’s Bistro has been named: Restaurant of the Year, Best Comfort Food, Best Brunch, Best Lunch Spot and by Food and Wine Magazine, one of “America’s Top Restaurant Bargains

The Button Emporium & Ribbonry

This charming shop is a must-visit for needle workers. The store specializes in buttons, heirloom sewing, ribbon and trim, embroidery threads, ribbons, silk fabric, patterns and a variety of embellishments. Kathy visited the shop last weekend and tells me she did a little “pre-shopping.” Prior to the retreat, we will make special arrangements with the store to ensure that they are open and staffed during our free hours or during our breaks from class time. You won’t want to miss seeing this shop.

Special Drawing for all Registered by April 2nd: $120 value

We’re happy to announce that all reservations deposited by April 2nd will be automatically entered into a drawing for Bongo Design’s “October 31” Needlepoint Sampler Kit, a $120 value. Drawing to be held during the retreat. (Guests who are currently registered with a deposit have already been entered.) Note: If the winner of the drawing has previously purchased this canvas or kit, they will receive $120 credit in the "Bongo Store."

Stitch In Bliss - February Newsletter for Eternity Spa Retreat

Happy Valentine's Day!

Only 8 months remaining ‘till our “Stitch in Bliss” weekend with Kathy and I am getting busy with arrangements!

Kathy and I are working on the details to make the weekend super fun as well as relaxing. Until then, to keep you informed and entertained, here are some announcements and information we think you’ll want to know:

Special Drawing for all Registered by April 2nd: $120 Value
We’re happy to announce that all reservations deposited by April 2nd will be automatically entered into a drawing for Bongo Design’s “October 31” Needlepoint Sampler Kit, a $120 value. Drawing to be held during the retreat. (Guests who are currently registered with a deposit have already been entered.) Note: If the winner of the drawing has previously purchased this canvas or kit, they will receive $120 credit in the "Bongo Store."

Focus on shopping and dining in the Fiber Arts District
In each issue of this newsletter, leading up to our retreat, we’ll provide some details on what to see and do within a very short walking distance of our hotel.

The Button Emporium & Ribbonry
This charming shop is a must-visit for needle workers. The store specializes in buttons, heirloom sewing, ribbon and trim, embroidery threads, ribbons, silk fabric, patterns and a variety of embellishments. Kathy visited the shop last weekend and tells me she did a little “pre-shopping.” Prior to the retreat, we will make special arrangements with the store to ensure that they are open and staffed during our free hours or during our breaks from class time. You won’t want to miss seeing this shop.

Mother’s Bistro & Bar: Restaurant of the Year
Serving up slow-cooked food featuring authentic cooking from mothers around the world -- all made from scratch with a special dish from a different mother each month! Mother’s Bistro has been named: Restaurant of the Year, Best Comfort Food, Best Brunch, Best Lunch Spot and by Food and Wine Magazine, one of “America’s Top Restaurant Bargains”

Eternity Needlepoint Canvas Kit – Threads
Stitchers would you like to know what threads Kathy has included in the Eternity Kit?
The piece is stitched entirely in silk with Japanese glass beads.
From Kreinik, we will be using Silk Serica, Silk Bella and Silk Mori.
From Rainbow Gallery, we will be stitching with Silk Splendor.
We will add a variety of Toho Beads: seed and bugle beads, in both matt and metallic finishes.

Need a Flight, Want to Extend Your Stay in Portland?
If anyone is in need of assistance with flights to Portland, please let me know so I can assist you. Will you need a transfer to the Hotel? I have options for you to take a Hotel Shuttle or Max Light Rail. I will supply the full details as the time draws closer or you can call me anytime to make arrangements.

Hotel Monaco will honor a 3 day pre and/or post stay of our event, please contact me if you are interested in more details and pricing.

What a great Valentine gift the Eternity Stitching Retreat would be… For yourself? For someone you know?

Does that someone special in your life need a hint as to what you would like? (Or, perhaps you and a friend will want to gift each other the retreat…)

Kathy & Gina

Needle Artist Spa Retreat ~ Eternity, Thank You Gift

Our way of saying thank you for reserving a place for the Spa Retreat. A bottle of Aveda Lotion compliments of Hotel Monaco, Kathy of Bongo Design and Gina of Travel Counsellors.

Needle Artists Spa Retreat ~ Eternity ~ December Newsletter

As Gina informs me of the recent flurry of sign ups, I’m getting excited about my Eternity Retreat next October. Sounds like a long time from now, right? But when I think of the stitch guide to be written and developed, the kits to be assembled and the myriad details to be worked out, I believe the next ten months are going to fly by.

In my life I strive for a balance between developing new ideas and directions and completing what I’ve begun. The Eternity project was once a new idea I had about designing a canvas that communicated a specific theme with some depth of thought and expression, rather than one that is light in nature. I also wanted to design something beautiful, rather than whimsical and I wanted to challenge myself with designing in a monochromatic color scheme. (If you know my work, you know I use color in a big way.)

With this piece I am exploring the theme of the beauty found in the eternal cycles of life. I wanted to remind the viewer (and myself) that we are all a part of the whole. To deliver this message, I employed the elements of: earth, air, fire and water; the four seasons; and Kanji, translated as “Eternity”.

To stay within my design guidelines of a monochromatic palette, I chose black, white and gray. Then I added gold as my accent color. Because we in the needlepoint world “paint” with threads, gray can become silver and any color can be stitched in a matt, shiny or metallic thread. While a challenge to “do it right,” I discovered that working with a monochromatic palette was anything but limiting or boring. I then worked the design in a variety of interesting stitches and beads and it became not just another piece of needlepoint, but to my mind, a work of art.

As a footnote, the completion of Eternity spawned a whole new line of Asian-inspired designs and yep, they are all very colorful. Some things never change.

Happy Holidays,
Kathy Paterson
Bongo Designs

Needle Artists Spa Retreat ~ Eternity ~ October Newsletter

Happy Halloween!

We have some spook-tacular details to share with you about next year’s needlepoint spa retreat!

We’re looking forward to a blissful three days of stitching with Kathy Paterson and her elegant “Eternity” canvas, October 22-24, 2010 at Hotel Monaco and Aveda Spa in Portland Oregon. This limited-space retreat is designed to provide you with a wonderful stitching experience with lots of opportunities to relax, indulge and enjoy.

We’re excited to announce that on Saturday night, Oct. 23, we’ll transport the group from our hotel to a nearby wine and cheese reception at Needlepoint Plus, hosted by owner Cindy Humbard. Cindy, Needlepoint Plus and Cindy’s finishing work have been featured in the September/October 2009 issue of Needlepoint Now for “Boo Kitty” stitch guide and finishing; and in November/December 2006 for “Finishing Challenge.” Cindy has a wonderful shop and plenty of ideas for all your needlepoint stitching and finishing needs.

After the reception, we’ll move on to the Cheesecake Factory for a no-host dinner and more surprises. Our goal is to pamper and delight you each day of the retreat -- stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date.

If you haven’t done so already, mark your calendar and sign up now to be with us in Portland, October 22-24, 2010. You can secure this exclusive weekend with a deposit of $150. Contact Gina at 541-610-6719 or email gina.wearin@travelcounsellors.com to receive additional information.

Have a happy haunted stitching weekend,
Gina

Bongo Designs

This is "Beautiful" Kanji

Bongo Designs

I thought it might be a good idea to share some of Kathy's other designs to get a feel for her work
This painted canvas design is "Asian Squares"

Wine & Cheese Reception for Needle Artist Spa Retreat

We’re excited to announce that on Saturday night, Oct. 23, we’ll transport the group from our hotel to a nearby wine and cheese reception at Needlepoint Plus, hosted by owner Cindy Humbard.

Needlepoint Plus and Cindy’s finishing work have been featured in Needlepoint Now Magazine:
September/October 2009 issue for “Boo Kitty” stitch guide and finishing
November/December 2006 issue for “Finishing Challenge”

Cindy has a wonderful shop and plenty of ideas for all your needlepoint stitching and finishing needs.
After the reception, we’ll move on to the Cheesecake Factory for a no-host dinner and more surprises.

Stay tuned for more details to be announced!

"Eternity" Needle Artists Spa Retreat

October 22nd to 24th 2010 at Hotel Monaco in Portland, OR

Explore the theme of beauty in the eternal cycles of life

The elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water

The four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall

A monochromatic palette of white, black and silver accented with gold and beads

An Exclusive Design from Kathy Paterson of Bongo Designs

From $523.00 per person* and includes:
~ 3-day's instruction featuring Kathy's new and exclusive design
~ 2-night's lodging (tax included), Downtown Portland Boutique Hotel with Art Gallery
~ Complete Kit #18 hand-painted canvas, all silk threads, Japanese beads and color stitch guide

Explore Porltand's Fiber Arts District all within walking distance
Indulge yourself with in-room Spa services or visit the Aveda Spa on site.
(Additional costs not included and are the responsibility of the traveler)

Visit a Needlepoint Store, a Knitting Shop, Button Emporium & Ribbonry.
Enjoy a walk along the Willamette River or the Rose Gardens with a view of Mt. Hood

*Based on double occupancy, single rates and commuter pricing available.
***Cancellation with full refund up to August 6, 2010. There will be no refunds after that date but you may find someone to take your place***
***make your reservation today with a $150.00 Deposit, 2nd Deposit of $150.00 due by March 3, 2010 ~ Final Payment due by August 6, 2010.

Finished Pieces

I took 17 pieces to the Needlepoint Shop in Portland this week for finishing!
17 pieces - my goodness, I figured I had pieces completed from 2005 that were waiting to be finished.
I told her to finish one a month so the bill wouldn't be huge and hopefully the husband wouldn't be any wiser - isn't that a terrible thing to say!

I'll post the completed pieces as they arrive

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Cowboy Picture Frame for Cody and the the Candy Corn Family (5 pieces) to display for Halloween!

I'm thinking of donating a few of the pieces to raffle/auction off for fundraisers here in La Pine. Will see how that goes.

TTFN,
Gina

Cody

Cody and Chad went to the Exotic Car Show in Sunriver prior to picking me up at the airport on my way home from seminar in Indian Wells.